Honor Magic3 Pro vs. vivo X80 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The Honor Magic3 Pro and vivo X80 Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Magic3 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 888+, aimed for a balanced premium experience, while the X80 Pro, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000 options, pushed for raw power and camera innovation. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right flagship.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X80 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Dimensity 9000) offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Magic3 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+, and its faster 80W wired and 50W wireless charging provide a more convenient experience. While both offer excellent battery endurance, the X80 Pro’s charging speed gives it an edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro vivo X80 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, August 122022, April 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 01Available. Released 2022, April 29
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Schott Xensation Up), glass back or ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.8 x 74.9 x 9.0 mm or 9.5 mm164.6 x 75.3 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g / 213 g (7.48 oz)215 g / 219 g (7.58 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO3 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (Global), OriginOS Ocean (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome) 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D (depth)50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom, gimbal OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2 (Snapdragon)/ 5.3 (Dimensity), A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (Global)/ 3.2 (China), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 66W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired80W wired, 100% in 38 min 50W wireless, 100% in 50 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsGolden Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, WhiteCosmic Black, Blue, Orange
ModelsELZ-AN10V2185A, V2145
PriceAbout 800 EURAbout 850 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 79h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.1 LUFS (Very good)

Honor Magic3 Pro

  • Competitive 66W wired and wireless charging.
  • Balanced overall performance with Snapdragon 888+
  • Potentially lower price point due to age.

  • Older Snapdragon 888+ chipset is less efficient.
  • Likely lower peak display brightness.
  • Less advanced camera system compared to X80 Pro.

vivo X80 Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000 chipset.
  • Significantly faster 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can be prone to throttling under heavy load.
  • Potentially higher price point.
  • Software experience may vary depending on region.

Display Comparison

The vivo X80 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1014 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Honor Magic3 Pro. While both likely utilize high-refresh-rate OLED panels, the X80 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The X80 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior black level performance, enhancing the viewing experience for multimedia content. Without specific PWM dimming frequency data for the Magic3 Pro, it’s difficult to assess potential flicker-related eye strain compared to the X80 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera-centric, but detailed sensor information beyond 'Photo/Video' is lacking for both. However, the X80 Pro’s likely inclusion of a larger main sensor (based on vivo’s camera strategy) and advanced image processing algorithms would likely result in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The X80 Pro’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) system is crucial for capturing sharp, stable videos and photos. The Magic3 Pro’s camera system, while capable, is likely outmatched by the X80 Pro’s more modern hardware and software.

Performance

The vivo X80 Pro’s chipset options – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) or MediaTek Dimensity 9000 (4nm) – represent a generational leap over the Honor Magic3 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm). The 4nm process node in the X80 Pro’s chips offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 core, clocked at 3.00 GHz, and the Dimensity 9000’s Cortex-X2 at 3.05 GHz, provide a performance advantage over the Magic3 Pro’s Cortex-X1 at 2.99 GHz. The X80 Pro’s LPDDR5X RAM further contributes to faster data transfer speeds, benefiting multitasking and application loading times.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 79 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the vivo X80 Pro’s charging capabilities are significantly faster. Its 80W wired charging can fully charge the battery in 38 minutes, while the 50W wireless charging takes 50 minutes. The Honor Magic3 Pro’s 66W wired and wireless charging, while still fast, are slower. The X80 Pro also offers reverse wired charging, adding to its versatility. The faster charging speeds of the X80 Pro are a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic3 Pro if you prioritize a refined, well-rounded experience and can find it at a significantly discounted price. Its 66W wired and wireless charging are still competitive, and the Snapdragon 888+ remains capable. Buy the vivo X80 Pro if you demand the latest processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds. The X80 Pro is the better choice for power users and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the vivo X80 Pro suffer from overheating issues?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than previous generations. However, vivo implemented advanced cooling solutions in the X80 Pro, including a vapor chamber cooling system, to mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance during demanding tasks. While some heat is still expected, it’s generally well-managed.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the vivo X80 Pro compatible with all wireless chargers?
The vivo X80 Pro supports the Qi wireless charging standard, but to achieve the full 50W charging speed, you’ll need a compatible wireless charger that supports vivo’s Flash Charge technology. Using a standard Qi charger will result in slower charging speeds.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Honor Magic3 Pro and the vivo X80 Pro?
Vivo typically employs a more vibrant and saturated image processing style, aiming for visually appealing photos straight out of the camera. Honor tends towards a more natural and accurate color reproduction. This difference is subjective and depends on personal preference.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the vivo X80 Pro?
The vivo X80 Pro, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000, delivers excellent gaming performance. It can handle demanding titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile at maximum settings with high frame rates. The advanced cooling system helps prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.